The Different Market Event, Norwich

I’m really excited to tell you about a wonderful day that I spent at The Different Market on Saturday 23^rd June 2018. This inclusive event was located in Blackfriars’ Hall, which is part of The Halls; an atmospheric former friary on St Andrews Street, Norwich.

Local market stalls included crafts, fashion, handmade skincare, jewellery, greeting cards, henna, houseplants, spices, condiments and scarves.

I even got a lovely personalised keyring written in Arabic, made right before my eyes, by the super friendly and talented Chacha Jewels (find her on instagram at @chachajewelsuk).

The cultures and nationalities reflected among the vendors included British, Zimbabwean, Polish, Bangladeshi, Arabic and Indian and the customers were just as diverse! There was a wonderfully friendly feeling about the day; with lots of smiles and laughter. Kids ran around, whilst the adults shopped for bargains and chatted over the wide variety of refreshments.

Tasty treats available to purchase included; fresh mint tea, baklava, sweets, brownies, mocktails, chocolate fountain, teas, coffees and a perfectly pink rose syrup infused milk.

I enjoyed a refreshing lime and mint cooler, with a deliciously sticky piece of baklava from Sahara café. Full of nuts and honey and fragrant orange blossom water; a mouth-watering little energy boost to keep me going as I navigated the different stalls, which included:

 

Aga & Kat, Polish Folk Art. Instagram @agaandkat

 

Leslie Terrance. Instagram @leslieterranceshop

 

Knot to Forget. Instagram @knottoforget

 

Plus, check out my previous delicious post about @thebrowniebaker_

One of the elements that really stood out to me was the community spirit. Stallholders made the time to pause and chat about their products, whilst also admiring the work of other craftspeople.

The NHS Wellbeing Norfolk and Waveney Service was in attendance, providing advice and signposting for mental health and wellbeing support.

I stopped and got some decorative henna; the essential oil in the paste, creating a soothing ambiance as I chatted with Meanha, the event organiser and inspirational local charity ambassador and social inclusion advocate.

 

Elegance of Henna. Instagram @eleganceofhenna

 

Meanha gave me an insight into the team of local women behind this event; Project Sadaqah Norwich. This social movement takes the Islamic concept of ‘Sadaqah’, which means ‘voluntary charity’ and applies it on a local level; creating the change and positivity that they wish to see in the world and encouraging the wider community to share and celebrate this.

The day ran extremely smoothly, which was down to the polished and professional hosting provided by Meanha’s volunteer team, who clearly put a lot of effort and care into creating a forum that could celebrate local diversity and raise a charitable donation in aid of an environmentally sustainable and therapeutic orphanage in Tanzania.

Thank you for my goodie bag, ladies. I’m looking forward to your next event!

 

To find out more, please follow @projectsadaqah_norwich on Instagram.

 

Sahara Cafe and Patisserie, 67-69 Magdalen Street Norwich NR3 1AA                            Follow them on Facebook or Instagram @SaharaNorwich 

 

Home Cooking: Friendship and Hottoek

 

The kitchen is a wonderful place to enjoy good company.

 

There’s something very intimate about sharing evocative memories together; of smells that remind us of childhood treats and tastes that recall celebrations of the past.

 

Comparing and contrasting the recipes that we have in common; scrutinising their similarities and differences. Sharing the intrigue of new twists on a classic and observing the subtle quirks of our different traditions.

 

Then there’s the excitement of  an opportunity to learn about dishes that are completely distinct from our own culinary experience.  Even better; the chance to make it and taste it for yourself.

 

I was lucky enough to share this weekend with a couple of friends who are unfailingly generous with their time, patience and enthusiasm for sharing South Korean cookery; and the result was homemade Hotteok.

 

 

Hotteok is a popular sweet Korean street food. A thick, yeasted pancake with a sticky, sugary concoction nestled in its centre; typically brown sugar, cinnamon and chopped nuts.

 

We spent a happy, industrious time in my tiny galley kitchen, huddled around the oven together whilst conjuring up the perfect Winter snack to share; a little Korean sweetness to warm up a cold Norwich evening.

 

Concentrating on the recipe and instructions; mixing the perfect temperature of water to gently blend through with yeast.

 

Stirring and kneading and folding until the dough forms; thick and stretchy.

 

Setting the frying pan to sizzle as we shaped our little patties; making a deep well to fill with a sugary confection, carefully nipped and folded in on itself to make a centre that, when heated, oozes like honey.

 

Patience and some nimble flipping turns soft, pale little cinnamon scented clouds into crispy golden Hotteok.

 

A snack that tastes even better when it’s accompanied by laughter and friendship!

Papaya Verte Pop Up, Norwich

 

Every now and then, a moment of pure, food joy happens. When your mouth waters uncontrollably and your eyebrows start to dance as you grunt; wordless noises of sheer enjoyment.

 

Today was one of those days for me.

 

Let me introduce you to this perfect, fragrant, steaming little bowl of Beef Pho made by Jaki aka Papaya Verte; an inspirational local pop-up cook and super club host, who brings Vietnamese food to Norfolk with an explosion of flavour and passion.

 

 

 

I can only describe the broth as magical in terms of its depth and flavour; floating a treasure trove of juicy beef shin and softly satisfying rice noodles. Stirred through this were spring onions, red onions, fresh chilli, mint, coriander and a hearty wedge of lime.

 

Being a condiment queen; I also added a squirt of Sriracha, because I literally can’t resist it, although in all fairness, it really didn’t need any extra oomph. Because this bowl on its own encapsulated a microcosm of texture and tastes that made my tastebuds rejoice with sour, salty, savoury and zinging, herby freshness.

 

On a freezing British December day, with numb toes and tingling nose, it literally felt impossible to imagine a dish quite as delicious and heartening. I’d be fibbing if I told you I’m not daydreaming about it as I write this.

 

So, I’m filing ‘explore Vietnamese cuisine’ among my resolutions for 2018 and I’m hoping that means enjoying more from Papaya Verte; whose supper club adventures also raise money for charitable causes both locally and in Vietnam. Check her out, follow her and embrace the spirit of nourishing your life with a diversity of flavours and cultural experiences that are right here on your doorstep in Norwich if you know where to look, listen and taste. Enjoy!!

 

For more information about Papaya Verte, follow on Instagram @papayaverte, Twitter @papaya_verte or Facebook @thegreenpapayasupperclub

Shiki, Norwich

 

It was a very special day for myself and my Mr recently, as we celebrated our second wedding anniversary. So, with love in the air and a gentle rumble in our bellies, we headed to the fantastic Shiki Japanese Restaurant in Tombland, Norwich.

 

If you share our love for sushi, you’ll be excited to hear that every Monday evening is Sushi Night at Shiki! That means all-you-can-eat sushi, made to order over a two hour sitting for £27 per head.

 

Yep, you heard that right; all-you-can-eat sushi ❤ five words that make me grin from ear to ear while I fantasise about dunking lush, flavoursome fish draped over lightly seasoned rice, into a generous slick of soy and wasabi. Or, a snuggly packed maki full of spicy tuna, creamy avocado and crisp cucumber, rolled up and dredged with savoury, nutty sesame seeds.

 

Yum.

 

Shiki’s Sushi Night is a truly special event, with little paper chits to fill in with your orders from a special menu that features a fantastic selection of Nigiri, Maki, sides and hot dishes from the Kitchen. Boom. Plus there are plenty of vegetarian/vegan options to compliment all of that fishy goodness.

 

Even more yum.

 

My favourites include the salmon nigiri, ebi fry maki rolls and hot, fresh tempura vegetables. Mr loves the fish egg battleships, octopus nigiri and wakame salad… secretly, though, we love everything and usually eat so much that we have to walk home very, very slowly with lots of little rest breaks for tummy patting and murmurs of satisfaction…

 

 

Drinks options (not included in the sushi flat rate) are equally as varied, including a range of wines, sake, sochu cocktails, fruit juices, soft drinks and beer; with the choice of a selection of Japanese lagers or a local ale. Shiki is always a joy to visit; with a lovely relaxed atmosphere and friendly, efficient staff.

 

For us, Shiki is a Norwich foodie landmark; a must visit when we have friends to stay, or a special spot to celebrate. Kanpai!

 

For more information about Shiki Japanese Restaurant, visit them at 6 Tombland, Norwich NR3 1HE, visit their website http://www.shikirestaurant.co.uk or follow on Instagram @shiki_norwich

 

 

Home Cooking: the Art of Kimbap Making

 

There are so many reasons why this dish, the Korean equivalent to sushi, is special to me.

 

One is the fact that I was taught to make kimbap by two very special girl friends who are unfailingly generous with their time and enthusiasm for sharing their cultural story with me though cuisine. To cook together, eat together and share the significance of our food-memories is something that I treasure.

 

So often, our childhood memories and favourite tastes evoke similar feelings, even though their origins are so very different.

 

The second is that I find it therapeutic; chopping, frying, chopping, sautéing, chopping, constructing, rolling and yet more chopping. Repetition and routine as you build up a tray of ingredients with a whole range of colours, textures and aromas.

 

The ones pictured above contained spam, omelette, spinach, pickled radish, cucumber and carrot. They’re crunchy, salty, fresh and savoury. Rolled up into tight sausages with rice and seaweed; when you cut them into slices, a beautiful mosaic of colours and textures is discovered.

 

The third is simple; the scent of sesame oil slowly filling the kitchen. Blissful.

 

And the demolition of a pile of those perfectly round rolls? Divine!

 

 

 

 

Tasty House, Norwich Market

 

The picture above is Cambodian Noodle Soup, served by the wonderful ladies at Tasty House Norwich, with a beautifully pungent spoonful of kimchi. A real mix of Asian tastes, textures and colours that completely lifted a hurried lunch at my desk with a nourishing, flavourful flourish.

 

This soup had a warm, gently spiced scent, that floated up to my nostrils on a cloud of creamy coconut. Sweet white crabmeat nestled between delicate noodles and crunchy fresh beansprouts, with a cheeky sprinkle of peanut to finish.

 

My very first mouthful of Cambodian cuisine was uniquely fresh and savoury flavour, from lemongrass, galangal and garlic. Soothing turmeric yellow helped to give it a sense of being a cheerful  bowl of sunshine on an otherwise drizzly Norfolk day.

 

The hearty serving of kimchi on the side burst with spicy, salty, sour flavour and popped against the noodles with a fiery, chilli red colour.

 

As I licked my spoon and got back to work, I couldn’t help but reflect on what a special culinary education this dish represented; I like that Norwich market is able to provide such variety of different dishes from different cultures and countries. And I love that the women who work so hard to put these authentic, dishes together are so generous in their desire to share the magic of their culinary heritage.

 

… and whatever you do, don’t forget to stock up on speciality snacks and ingredients at The Orient Express Asian Mini Market while you’re here!

 

Visit http://www.orexnorwich.co.uk for more information about The Orient Express Asian Mini Market in the heart of Norwich City Centre. Visit The Orient Express and Tasty House on Norwich Market, Row H.

My First Ever Blog Post…

… let’s get stuck in and talk about today’s lunch!

 

The picture above is of a delicious Burmodian Chicken Curry from Tasty House on Norwich Market. Head to the middle of Row H and let a taste of Asia warm you up on a chilly Autumnal day. A curry like this is the most comforting of companions.

 

Silky, spicy coconut broth seeps lovingly into your rice and soothes your senses as you bite into tender chicken and juicy, sweet pineapple. Nourishing and tasty; this is pure soul food. You can almost feel your batteries charging up as you eat. I enjoyed mine, perched on one of the benches above the Undercroft; coat zipped up and hands gradually warming through, against the plastic takeaway box. Balancing my food on my knees, I watched the pigeons while I savoured every morsel.

 

While you’re deciding what you want from the Tasty House menu (changing daily but always including veggie and vegan options), you could easily be forgiven for losing yourself for quite some time in the sister stalls opposite; The Orient Express and its extension The Orient Express 2. Between these two stalls, which are filled to the brim with genuine, authentic fresh, frozen and store cupboard Asian ingredients, you can immerse yourself even further into an exciting and colourful food adventure with some expert guidance from the friendly and helpful team.

 

This gem of Norwich Market is not just special for its wonderful freshly cooked food. It also seems to magically host its own busy, diverse little community where hungry strangers come together. Whether it’s people who desire a taste of home and familiarity, or those, like me, who come for inspiration and to try something new; everyone leaves with a smile and a full belly or shopping bag.

 

A main course dish with a side of rice costs under a £5 so it really is a good value lunchtime treat. If you want to splash out a bit more, add on a delicious Thai Iced Tea and some spicy, salty and sour Papaya salad. Take away or sit down and eat at the stall and enjoy watching the world as it passes by…

 

… and whatever you do, don’t forget to stock up on speciality snacks and ingredients at The Orient Express Asian Mini Market while you’re there!

 

Tasty House is quickly becoming one of my favourite places to eat in the City Centre, so watch this space for many more lunch reviews here, as I munch my way through their wide range of dishes and share the joy with you along the way. 

 

Visit http://www.orexnorwich.co.uk for more information about The Orient Express Asian Mini Market in the heart of Norwich City Centre.